Danny Brown Announces New Album, uknowhatimsayin¿ w/”Dirty Laundry” Video & Tour Dates

Last year, Kendrick Lamar‘s 2017 album, DAMN. won both the Grammy for best rap album and the Pulitzer prize for music.  There was a ton of critical acclaim surrounding that release with it being praised for its deep content and lyrical ability.  That’s a monumental feat, but I never paid much attention to it and still haven’t really got into Lamar overall.  At the time I was much more interested in another album that he was featured on just 6 or 7 months prior; one where he came up with and performed the hook on a song for another artist.  The song was “Really Doe” and the album was Atrocity Exhibition by, Danny Brown.  As far as I’m concerned that album is a goddam masterpiece.

Just like DAMN., Atrocity Exhibition marked the 4th studio album for its creator.  Unlike Kendrick‘s album, Brown‘s release didn’t earn commercial success on a level that would match the critical response.  The reception for Atrocity Exhibition also wasn’t quite as universal and it seemed as if a number of people didn’t full grasp the complexity or completely understand the content.  I found myself in a couple of conversations with people who dismissed the effort as nothing more than Brown rapping about drugs and sex, but the reality is something much more profound and forward thinking than that.  The title, which takes its name from a song on Joy Division‘s 1980 sophomore album, Closer, reflects the subject matter that Danny often spotlights on the LP, as he speaks about suffering from addictions and struggling publicly, while his real life obstacles are embraced as a public spectacle and entertainment.  The brilliant Jonah Hill-directed video for the song, “Ain’t It Funny” further emphasized that theme with it’s faux-sit-com approach involving a live studio audience chuckling as Danny attempts to open up about having a problem and needing help.  Meanwhile, the track, “When It Rain,” paid tribute to his hometown with a nod to ghettotech, house parties, and attempts to maneuver through a gritty, impoverished, crime-ridden environment with the use of incredible wordplay and endless Detroit specific references woven throughout.  Because of his overall demeanor and often lighthearted outer persona, Danny Brown has been consistently under-estimated and undervalued as an artist, but there is no single rapper in the game right now whose work that I find more compelling or anticipate more.

Brown has teased his follow up intermittently, over the last couple of years, but we really haven’t received anything too solid until now.  Today it was announced that the new album, uknowhatimsayin¿ will be dropping on October 4th via Warp Records and the tracklist features a promising list of contributors.  Although casual listeners likely associate him with his trademark nasally delivery, Danny Brown is actually one of the most versatile emcees around.  Not only does he have the ability to switch up his voice and style, but his ability to rhyme over any beat thrown at him, no matter how unorthodox or complex, is mindboggling.  One piece of information that we’ve known for awhile is that Q-Tip has taken on the role of executive producer for the upcoming LP.  Speaking on working with the A Tribe Called Quest legend, Brown states. “There was no room for error. Q-Tip wanted me to go back to that ‘Greatest Rapper Ever’ era. I almost had to relearn how to rap again — an ego death type thing. He gave me this whole new outlook on music. I can’t go back to how I was before.”  It’s also great to see that frequent collaborator, Paul White, is included in the production credits, as well as other producers like Flying Lotus, Standing on the Corner, and JPEGMAFIA, who also appears on a track.  At some point, earlier this year, EL-P tweeted about having heard material from the album, in advance, and being impressed by how amazing it was.  That’s why it’s no surprise to see Run The Jewels with a cameo, along with features from Obongjayar and Blood Orange.

The greatness of Danny Brown comes from his desire to push himself forward with every new venture that he embarks on.  The fact that he’s signed to a label like WARP, which places him on a roster alongside such electronic pioneers as Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Plaid, and Autechre, is a prime example of his dedication to pushing himself outside of both his comfort zone and the expected parameters for the typical hip hop artist, in general.  Maintaining a balance between the high concept and completely organic, Brown‘s approach with uknowhatimsayin¿ demonstrates him thinking even further outside of the box.  The Motor City rapper explains, “This is my version of a stand-up comedy album. Most of my close friends now aren’t rappers — they’re comedians and actors. So I wanted to create something that mixed humor with music. Something that was funny but not parody.”

Danny‘s comedy skills are on full display with his recently launched VICELAND original program, Danny’s House, and his new single, “Dirty Laundy,” is right on par with the aims he’s voiced for the upcoming album.  The Simon Cahn-directed video for the track begins with Brown decked out in full makeup and a Tony Clifton-style tux while quoting stand-up comedian, Joey Diaz, as he talks to himself in a mirror.  From there, his character drives a cab around town.  One cameo that might slip past you is KIDS actor, Leo Fitzpatrick, who the rapper pulls out of the back seat of his taxi and into the street.

Check out the video below, followed by a track list and full list of tour dates.  Digital pre-orders for uknowhatimsayin¿ are available now, as we await details regarding the physical formats.

uknowhatimsayin¿ TRACKLISTING

DANNY BROWN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES